By Laura Van Wert

Published: Wednesday, January 30, 2013, 11:12 a.m.
Updated: Thursday, January 31, 2013

A Baldwin-Whitehall School District bus driver met a 15-year-old boy through a telephone dating service and sexually assaulted him, police said.

Police charged William H. Scherz Sr., 73, of Brentwood with sexual assault, involuntary sexual intercourse, indecent exposure and other offenses. He was released from the Allegheny County Jail on Jan. 24 after posting $10,000 bond.

Reached at his home on Wednesday, Scherz declined to comment. His attorney, David S. Shrager, did not return a call.

Scherz, a 10-year employee of the district, voluntarily took unpaid leave, Superintendent Randal Lutz said. Scherz drove a morning and afternoon bus route that involved transporting students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

“He's not at work — won't be,” Lutz said. “None of this happened on work time. ... This really had nothing to do with the school district.”

The boy met Scherz in December on Megamate, a telephone dating service, according to a criminal complaint. The boy told Scherz that he was 18 and the two agreed to meet, but when Scherz arrived at the boy's home in Elizabeth on Jan. 22, he acknowledged he is 15, the complaint said.

Scherz tried to kiss the boy, who pushed Scherz away, police said. Scherz then removed his false teeth, placed them on the living room couch, and sexually assaulted the boy, police said.

Lutz said he didn't know whether Scherz worked for the district on Jan. 22. He said district employees must pass criminal background checks by the FBI and state police before their hiring.

Magistrate Judge Beth S. Mills continued a Monday hearing for Scherz.

Laura Van Wert is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-388-5814 or lvanwert@tribweb.com.

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